AUGUSTA -- Some state workers will get a break on their gasoline expenses through a pilot program that encourages them to telecommute or work alternative schedules.

As part of a $12.5 million plan to help Mainers cope with high energy prices, Gov. John Baldacci recently announced a pilot program to encourage state workers to change their schedules so they can save money on gas. The program is being rolled out at the state Department of Administrative and Financial Services, which employs 1,400 people.

By December, the department has a goal of approving 95 percent of all requests for an alternative work schedule, said Chip Gavin, director of the Bureau of General Services.

"One of the global things we're trying to do is look for options that deliver results sooner rather than later," he said. "We looked at what can be done quickly. It's leadership by example for state government."

The state is not looking for savings in department budgets, but rather to encourage people to conserve gas by driving less. Taxpayers will not notice a change in services offered by state government, he said.

One of the offices Gavin oversees, the Office of Risk Management, implemented the program for its five employees last month, said Patricia Hayden, of South China, who's working four 9-hour days to fulfill her 36 hour-a-week work obligation.

Hayden said although she lives relatively close to the office located on Augusta's east side, some of her colleagues have a much longer drive. One commutes from Bangor, 112 miles a day; another from Wilton, 84 miles a day; and another from Lewiston, 76 miles a day.

By staggering work schedules, offering flexible work time, or allowing a compressed schedule and telecommuting, the office has reduced their weekly miles on the road by 800, Gavin said.

"This is a small work unit setting a big example," he said.

For Hayden, having Fridays off gives her the flexibility she needs for her family.

Before granting any alternate work days, those in the office carefully reviewed the requests to make sure the office could still continue to serve customers -- and taxpayers -- without any interruption, she said.

In one instance, an employee who lives in Bangor is telecommuting two days a week and responding to incidents in that part of the state on those days. That will save the state mileage money in the long run, Hayden said.

From an employee standpoint, it's a break on gas costs and an incentive to stay with the state.

"We saw this as an additional benefit to retaining valuable employees," she said.

The idea of allowing state employees to work alternative schedules is not new, said Tim Belcher, executive director of the Maine State Employees Association. In fact, the union has been pushing for it since the mid-1980s, he said.

However, with high gas prices taking up a larger chunk of employee paychecks, it's a welcome break for those who are able to take advantage of the program, he said.

"It means a great deal," he said. "It's easing the burden on state workers."

Ryan Low, the incoming commissioner of the state Department of Administrative and Financial Services, told legislative leaders earlier this week he will carefully monitor the pilot program in his department to see if it can be more aggressively pursued for the rest of state government.

"What we didn't want to do was throw it out there for all of state government and see what happens," Low said.

Susan Cover -- 621-5642

scover@centralmaine.com